Qualifying Versus Direct Buy Ins

You always have to pay, one way or another. If you want to skip to the head of the line its usually going to cost more money, and if you want to save money by waiting in line, it costs you in time. The same holds true for qualifying versus direct buy in when it comes to poker tournaments, both live and online. Which is the better strategy? Like every other answer in poker, the answer to this question starts with "it depends." 

Qualify for the 2008 World Series of Poker at Pardise Poker!

Sometimes you don't have a choice; if you don't have $10,000 set aside for your seat at the 2008 World Series of Poker, for example, then you are gong to hit the 2008  WSOP online qualifiers. Sometimes you may have the money but want to try for a free seat anyway, but be short on time. Time goes by, the registration deadline comes up hard, and you hand over the cash to get your seat.

But what if you have both time and money? Ultimately it will be your preference, but lets take a look at someone who has the time and has the money and see what he does.

The 2007 WSOP champ Jerry Yang is a pro poker player- this means he has the time to play poker. He is also a poker millionaire, which means he has the money. Does he buy directly into every big tournament he wants to play in?

No. He tries to qualify. Why?

Yang's outlook is this: it is too good a deal to pass up. Risk versus reward is one way poker players make decisions when it comes time to make a tough call in a game, and Yang uses this same concept when it comes time to buy in or attempt to qualify. Despite the money in his bank account, the champ would rather take a shot at a five or six figure payday by only risking a relatively few of his own dollars.

What should you do? It depends, but now you know what the champ does.

Qualify for the 2008 World Series of Poker at Pardise Poker!